The Concluding Statement of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch Holy Synod
The Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch Holy Synod
from September 10 – 14, 2013
St. Jacob Baradeaus Monastery, Atchaneh – Bikfaya – Lebanon

In response to the blessed invitation from His Holiness our Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka 1, Iwas, the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church convened under the auspices and guidance of His Holiness. Synod started its activities by arranging and consenting to the agenda which consisted of the following items:

The Holy See of Antioch
kidnapping of the two Archbishops Mor Youhanna Ibrahim and Paulos Yazigi
Monks and Syriac monasteries’ convention
The state of the Christians in the Middle East
Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses issues
The issues of the Church of India
Improving on the spiritual and administrative sides for the clergy
Liturgy, Sacraments, and rituals
Matters related to fasts, prayers, and holy mass services
Clerical attire
Church tradition
Church sentences
Ecumenical movement and other matters.

They studied these topics deeply and offered observations and suggestions while revising them item by item.

Regarding the state of the Holy See of Antioch. Fathers decided and stressed that Antioch is the historical capital of Syria where St. Peter the Apostle established his apostolic See and Damascus is now the Syrian capital. The fathers decided unanimously that Damascus should stay the spiritual capital of the Syriac Orthodox Church thus keeping the Apostolic tradition. They insisted that no transfer whatsoever from Damascus under any circumstances.

Regarding the abduction of the two Metropolitans Mor Youhanna Ibrahim and Paulos Yazigi. The fathers discussed the kidnapping circumstances and efforts carried out for their safe return. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. The church appeals to those of good conscience, religious and those seeking peace whether governmental or humanitarian institutions to continue their efforts for their release.

Regarding monks and Syriac monasteries convention. Fathers of the Holy Synod welcomed the outcome of this convention presided over by His Holiness from August 26 – 30, 2013. The impressions of the monks brought joy to all.

Regarding the state of Christians in the Middle East. This was a source of great pain and sorrow specially the persecution, terrorism, violations, killings, destructions, expatriation, sacrifice and death for citizens in general and Christians in particular. Their churches and monasteries are destroyed, institutions demolished, families scattered and banished from their fathers’ and forefathers’ land, forced to change their religion while innocent from these tragedies and violations. Many were martyred and we ask mercy for them from the Almighty and offer our condolences to their relatives. Fathers of the Holy Synod plead with the world’s nations specially the powerful countries with goodwill to stand by decency and work to save the area from calamities and disasters which may move to other parts of the world asking church faithful to be patient and keep praying in spite of all adversities they endured and were forced upon them in order to safeguard their history, tradition, faith, and their holy Syriac language spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ which was also the language of old Syria. Fathers of the church thank the church faithful throughout all Archdioceses and Christian humanitarian institutions for extending their helping hand for the needy and the scattered everywhere.

And accordingly the Holy Synod appointed a committee to study and follow up the situation and future of the church in the East, consisting of the Archbishops of Syria, Lebanon, and some specialized and experienced laity.

Regarding matters of the Syriac Archdioceses. Father studied the situation in every Archdiocese according to reports from their eminences the bishops. They offered their necessary observations for the good of these Archdioceses.

Regarding matters of the Church of India. His Holiness explained the situation there and his eminence the Patriarchal Secretary for the Indian affaires presented a report concerning the situation.

Regarding improvement on the spiritual side for the clergy. Fathers urged clergy to improve on their spiritual and liturgical life with fasting, prayers, contemplations, good examples, holy bible studies, and rituals in order to relay the message of faith in the best way possible through preaching and teaching for the sake of salvation of their souls and of their flock.

Father stressed upon abiding by the teachings of both testaments of the holy bible, and cling to the apostolic tradition and whatever was issued by the church since its inception till today. The Holy Synod discussed other matters regarding church administration and shepherding, asking and wishing for safety and peace to the region and wisdom to its leaders for the good of all citizens. The Holy Synod’s Fathers concluded their meeting with prayers for peace in the region specially in Syria, Lebanon, and all countries in the Middle East that face this ordeal.

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About SOCMNet

SOCMNet is an internet platform of Malankara Jacobite Syriac Christians (Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church - under the Holy See of the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.).
According to tradition, Christianity in India was established by St. Thomas, who arrived in Malankara (Kerala) from Edessa in A.D. 52. The Church in Malankara has had close ties with the Church in the Near East ever since.
The ties between the Church in Malankara and the Near East formalized and strengthen by, when under the leadership of the merchant Thomas of Cana and 72 families (around 400 odd persons comprising men, women and children, reached Cragananore (Kodungalloore). The group consisted of the Bishop Mor Joseph of Edessa as well as some priests and deacons traveled and migrated to India and met Christians there by AD 345.
The church in Malankara is an integral part of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church with the Patriarch of Antioch [His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas] as its supreme head. The local head of the church in Malankara is the Catholicose of India [His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I], ordained by and accountable to the Patriarch of Antioch.
The web sites in the SOCMNet are not official web sites of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Malankara, even though the Owners, Moderators and Webmasters owe allegiance to the hierarchy of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. However, opinions and responses of the Church leadership are posted here.